Kate and Wills put aside topless scandal for mosque visit

THE couple seemed composed and dignified as they paid their respects at the place of worship.

Prince William and Kate take their shoes off before entering a mosque in Kuala Lumpur

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THE Duchess of Cambridge’s nude heels have become a royal style signature.

But yesterday the £185 LK Bennett shoes had to be left behind as Kate and William went barefoot on their first visit to a mosque.

And the couple showed little strain from the simmering row over topless pictures of Kate as they prepared to comply with strict religious protocol.

They sat on matching gold seats, installed at the foot of the mosque stairs, to take off their footwear.

According to Islamic law, all visitors to mosques must remove their shoes and women must cover their hair before entering.

Kate’s headwear and dress for the landmark visit in Kuala Lumpur couldn’t help but evoke memories of her husband’s late mother on her visits to mosques during royal tours abroad.

Her pale grey chiffon dress, buttoned up the front and with demure long sleeves, echoed the style of the mint green ensemble which Diana chose when she visited Lahore, Pakistan, in 1996.

Like her late mother-in-law, Kate opted for a white headscarf and appeared slightly shy and nervous, but dazzingly beautiful.

And Diana would surely have approved of her choice of designer – the ethical clothes label Beulah London, which is run by the couple’s close friend Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs.

A royal aide said: ‘It is the first time that either the duke or the duchess have visited a mosque. They were keen to do so as it is an important part of UK culture as well as being the predominant religion here.’

Kate covered her hair for the mosque visit

As the royal couple climbed the steps of the mosque, they were met by the head imam and other dignitaries.

It would have been easy for Kate to have been overawed – especially as she would have been only too aware of the gathering storm back in Europe over the photos taken of her topless in France.

But, again taking a leaf out of the Diana book, she put her troubles to one side and got on with the job in hand,

Development manager Datin Ibrahim, who was educated at Edinburgh University, presented her with a bouquet of flowers as she greeted the line-up of mosque officials.

Before ending their 20-minute visit, William and Kate watched the men of the mosque washing their hands and feet and were told the meaning behind the ritual.

They then sat down at their original starting point to put their shoes back on and leave. “Mine are easy,” Kate said to William as he struggled to get his right foot in.

After they left, Miss Ibrahim said: “It was an honour to meet them.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Assyakirin Mosque

“I was so impressed at how much they knew about Islamic architecture. The duchess looked beautiful and very appropriate in her outfit.”

Later in the day, Kate met legendary Malaysian-born shoe designer Jimmy Choo, a friend of Princess Diana, at a tea party at the British High Commission to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The designer was among those remarking on the similarities between Kate and Diana.

He said: “I am very proud and delighted to have been invited.

“She is an absolutely beautiful person both inside and out. Very much like Prince William’s mother.”